Shanks, Pinn eighth at NZ champ of champs pairs

Kahutia club bowlers Lucy Shanks and Karen Pinn did not qualify for post-section play but beat two of the stronger teams at the national champion of champions women’s pairs in Dunedin.

They placed eighth out of 17 women’s pairs from around the country.

Representing Gisborne-East Coast in the tournament, Shanks (skip) and Pinn beat highly fancied pairs Sarah Scott (s) and Bronwyn Stevens, of North East Valley Bowling Club, and Reen Belliss (s) and Carolyn Tasker, of Aramoho Bowling Club.

Bowls New Zealand had the Round 2 Scott/Stevens game against Shanks and Pinn broadcast on YouTube, where commentators regarded it as a “David and Goliath” clash — Scott and Stevens were counted among the favourites to win the tournament.

The first few ends were a battle. Every time Stevens or Scott got close enough to the kitty to take shots, Pinn or Shanks would put their bowls closer until Scott did a run shot to take the shots back.

At one stage, Shanks and Pinn were 6-0 down but they clawed their way back into the game. After eight ends, they had closed it to 8-4.

On the ninth end, Shanks and Pinn took five shots to lead 9-8. They continued to play well together and by the end of the 16th end they led 17-12.

They took another shot on the 17th end, at which stage Scott and Stevens decided not to play the last end. This gave the win to Shanks and Pinn, 18-12.

In the last round, Shanks and Pinn had to play Belliss and Tasker, who had to win to qualify for post-section play.

Shanks and Pinn played well to lead early, but Belliss and Tasker fought back to draw level at 10-all.

Shanks and Pinn would not be denied, though. They kept winning the ends and finished the game ahead, 20-11.

In the first round, Shanks and Pinn had lost to Debbie White (s) and Bev Corbett, of Hinuera Bowling Club, 16-10.

Down 11-10, Shanks and Pinn held shots on the end when White drove the jack towards the ditch and ended up with three shots.

On the last end, the Kahutia pair held shots until Corbett’s last bowl took the shot

and White drew another one closer for second shot.

After a bye in the third round, Shanks and Pinn played Christchurch Bowling Club pair Donelda Scott (s) and Lucy Ware. The 18-13 victory to Scott and Ware was their only win of the weekend.

With the bar set at three wins for pairs to qualify for post-section play, Shanks and Pinn missed out on advancing to the next stage.

Shanks said she enjoyed every minute of playing in Dunedin against some top bowlers. She gained tremendous experience and learned a lot from other players.

Picton Bowling Club’s Jenny Anderson (s) and Helen McIsaac won the national champion of champions women’s pairs. Hinuera Bowling Club’s White and Corbett were runners-up.